Flying has been my dream and getting my private pilot license has been an item on my new year resolution for a few years. I finally took the plunge and started my training with Lone Star Flyers based out of Addison airport. My instructor Torrey Zook and I regularly fly in a 2008 Cessna 172S N6137Q and sometimes a 2007 Cessna 172S N286SA, both rented from Landmark Aviation, a Fixed Based Operator (FBO) out of Addision. I have either bought and downloaded so far:

• Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
• Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)
• Cessna 172S Pilot Operating Handbook (POH)
• A David Clark H10-13S headset, a knee board, a CX-2 Pathfinder Flight Computer, a rotating plotter, all from Addison Pilot Shop.
• Sporty's Learn To Fly Course (Online)

For $95, I obtained my third class airmen medical certificate from one of the Aviation Medical Examiners (AME).

I also obtained aircraft renters liability insurance because the insurance that came with the rental airplane only covers damages to that airplane, not damages to hangar, other airplanes or property while I am piloting the rental airplane.

I used both a hard copy logbook which Jeppesen gave me for free and the free online version from ZuluLog.

I am planning on getting me the Ground School Workbook for Private Pilots and the Flight Training Workbook for Private Pilots, both recommended by my instructor.

Among the flight schools, I narrowed it down to ATP Flight School, American Flyers, Lone Star Flyers and Monarch Air. I picked Lone Star Flyers, one that I felt most comfortable with after contacting each.

I would say the biggest difference so far between learning to fly an airplane and learning to drive a car is weather. I used not to pay much attention to the weather, no matter how ominous the clouds. Not anymore, having to read weather forecast to determine Visual Flight Rule (VFR) conditions before taking off each time.